Questions raised on vet's past evaluation

Shelter operations had been criticized

Chula Vista 
The licensing veterinarian for the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility, whom the city hired two weeks ago, was given written notice to fix serious management and care problems when she previously oversaw the shelter, according to a job evaluation obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

City officials fired former veterinarian Ginny Bischel on Feb. 19, the same day she criticized shelter operations and management in a news article. They rehired Dorothy Davidson-York, who was the shelter veterinarian from 2003 to 2007, a day before firing Bischel.

In Davidson-York's evaluation dated June 2007, officials cited several problems at the animal shelter, including:

No supervision of employees, students and volunteers;

At least one “dangerous” animal adopted without a behavior assessment;

Moldy feces found in kennels;

Employees complaining that they worked without lunch breaks;

Poor overall facility maintenance;

Diseased cats that were not isolated.

Officials wouldn't comment on the contents of the review, but city spokeswoman Liz Pursell confirmed it was a city document.

Deputy City Manager Leah Browder said she received only “glowing reports” about Davidson-York when she informed “human resources, Jack Griffin (the former Public Works director who was Davidson-York's supervisor), the City Attorney's Office and the City Manager's Office” that she intended to bring Davidson-York back on a temporary basis.

“Whatever concerns anybody had, had all been resolved,” she said this week.

Davidson-York's job review, which Griffin signed, stated shelter problems were due to “poor administration and lack of coordination and direction to kennel and office staff.”

In the review, city officials cited an incident in which Davidson-York allowed a “dangerous” dog that was part wolf to be adopted.

“Precautions should have been taken to secure the welfare of the public before adopting this animal,” Griffin wrote.

Browder said Davidson-York was overburdened with full-time management and veterinary duties and was “set up to fail.” Asked why Davidson-York was allowed to continue performing two full-time jobs for four years, Browder said, “You'd have to talk to the people who were in charge at that time.”

Griffin, who works for the city of Sebastopol, did not return a phone call yesterday. Davidson-York, reached yesterday, wouldn't comment on her job review.

“We're all working very hard to provide the best care we possibly can for the animals at the shelter,” she said.

Since 2003, shelter administration has shifted from the Police Department to the General Services Department to the Public Works Department. The City Manager's Office now oversees it.

Davidson-York retired in December 2007. Her last job evaluation covered the period from July 2006 to June 2007.

“Employees appear to self manage,” the review said. “There is no method for accountability. There is no supervision in the facility.”

It also stated, “Fleas were observed in hallway area near cat cages. Poop was observed in kennel with mold on it; bleach bottle in kennel was there Wed. thru Saturday.”

The review gave her three months “to bring the facility into compliance with acceptable practices and standards.” Officials did not say if they followed up.